Science

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Our science curriculum intends to develop a deeper understanding of a range of scientific ideas in the subject disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics and allow all students to achieve their full academic potential.

Curriculum Map

Science Curriculum Vision

Through using the Big Ideas, students will make connections in their knowledge of the main scientific concepts. For example, through linking cell structure and function with atomic structure and transferring energy.

They will use the principles of working scientifically to develop and explore hypothesises which relate to the world around them. The science course will allow students to make informed decisions within a science context about the world around them.

The students’ science education will enable them to make sense of the world around them and enhance and develop an enquiring mind, through an educational experience which is stimulating, challenging and enjoyable and should contribute to their broad intellectual development.

Course Structure 

We have designed the curriculum to follow key scientific themes throughout the science courses in KS3 and 4 and to build on knowledge gained in year 7 all the way through to the final assessments at GCSE level in Year 11.

The scientific themes embedded throughout the KS3 and 4 curricula are:

Biology: Organisms, Ecosystems and Genes.

Chemistry: Matter, Reactions and the Earth.

Physics: Forces, Particles at work, Electromagnets, Energy and Waves.

The students will follow a mastery course which will build, reflect and assess their knowledge with each unit of learning completed.

The knowledge which is introduced and developed throughout the Science curriculum is also developed using the practical aspects of the course.

The KS3 and 4 courses will develop and enhance the students’ investigation and enquiry skills through a careful program of practicals. These will develop the students’ scientific attitudes for objectivity, accuracy, precision, repeatability and reproducibility which are transferable skills for their future careers. It will develop their analytical and evaluative skills through applying mathematical concepts and calculating results.

Key Stage 4 

GCSE Science

Pupils will either follow the path of Combined Science (2 GCSE Levels) or Separate Science (3 GCSE Levels) which will be decided at the start of Year 9.

Assessment 

GCSE Trilogy Combined Science

  • Six papers: two Biology, two Chemistry and two Physics. Each will assess different topics.
  • Duration: all the papers are 1 hour 15 minutes.
  • Tiers: Foundation and Higher.
  • Weighting: the papers are equally weighted.
  • Each is worth 16.7% of the grade and has 70 marks.
  • Question types: multiple choice, structured, closed, short answer and open response.

GCSE Triple Science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics)

  • Six papers: two Biology, two Chemistry and two Physics. Each will assess different topics.
  • Duration: all the papers are 1 hour 45 minutes.
  • Tiers: Foundation and Higher.
  • Weighting: the papers are equally weighted.
  • Each is worth 50% of the grade and has 100 marks.

Question types: multiple choice, structured, closed, short answer and open response. 

Students will be assessed on their practical skills in their exams with at least 15% of the marks coming from questions relating to practicals.

Each specification includes a list of apparatus that students must be able to use and techniques they must be able to demonstrate. There are 16 required practicals.

Combined Science has a 17 point grading scale, from 9–9, 9–8 through to 2–1, 1–1.

Separate Science has a 9 point scale for each subject (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) from 9 to 1.

Homework 

How is it set?

Homework is recorded on ClassCharts. Homework is set every two weeks using Google Classrooms, which includes access to lesson presentations narrated by Science teachers, notes and quizzes to be completed.

Books, Equipment, Materials and Resources Recommended/Needed 

A computer with Internet access at home would give students an advantage on this course.

Students will be provided with a Seneca class code to access high standard revision materials.

Students will be issued lab books for all of the required practicals.

Opportunities for Study Beyond Key Stage 4 

With a qualification in Combined Science Trilogy, students can continue on to take Advance level Biology Chemistry or Physics. Alternatively, they can pursue a vocational qualification with a level 3 Certificate in Applied Science.

Career Opportunities Supported by This Subject 

Science will help you to access all types of careers. Some careers requiring Science include teaching, veterinary science, car mechanics, medicine, space technology, hairdressing, beauty therapy, engineering, meteorology, farming, researching diseases and catering to name a few.

Useful links

Trilogy Science

http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/combined-science-trilogy-8464

Triple Science

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/biology-8461

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/chemistry-8462

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/physics-8463

Seneca Revision

https://senecalearning.com/en-GB/

The Curriculum Lead is Mr Edward Sadler.